Nrf2: bane or blessing in cancer?

Background The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)–nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element pathway serves a major function in endogenous cytoprotection in normal cells. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that mainly regulates the expression of a wide array of genes that produce the antioxidants and other proteins responsible for the detoxification of xenobiotics and reactive oxygen species. Nrf2 mediates the chemoprevention of cancer in normal cells.